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In 1866, when sixteen year old Margaret Hensley
Royston began her journal, she had a special need for a confidant.
Even by nineteenth century standards of loss Maggie's life had been
and would continue to be filled with enormous sorrow. Maggie's diary
and extant family letters from 1866-1871 tell both her compelling
personal story and about life in the Reconstruction era South.
Maggie's most passionate wish -- to remain with who was left of her
family -- led her to make a decision which seems extraordinary to us
today, yet when seen in the context of her perception, made perfect
sense.
The book's editor, Heather Palmer, is uniquely suited to present
this work to the public and her meticulous research enables readers
to understand the many subtle finer points of the era. The extensive
foot notes are compelling reading on their own! A former museum
director in Texas as well as a curator at several properties in
Washington, D.C. for the National Trust for Historic Preservation,
and Historian at Blair House, the President's Guest House, she has
made understanding nineteenth century women's history her life's
work. She has taught college and elderhostel courses on historic
editing and has authored hundreds of published articles on
nineteenth century history. Her books include three history
workbooks for children and several history books.
The book is available for $20 a copy (plus $4 for
mailing up to five books) by writing to: The Sherman Preservation
League, P.O. Box 159, Sherman, Texas, 75091-0159
Because the editor has assigned
all proceeds to the not-for-profit Sherman Preservation League for
the maintenance of the C. S. Roberts Historic House museum, book
purchases are tax deductible as allowable by law. Book stores,
colleges and other vendors may purchase lots of 10 books or more for
$15 a copy and $8 for postage of each set of 10. For further
information, please call the museum at 903-893-4067. |
